Back to the Project Management vs IT Project + certification

Hello everyone, Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. Things have been so busy here at my lovely place of work, that I have not had time to breathe. I have given up just about all of my pastimes in the pursuit of developing encounter management systems. I thought I would return to this topic, because I finally think I know the answer to my question, should you be PMP or IT Project + certified. The answer was based on the most fundamental truths in life, the pursuit of the dollar bill. Actually, we hope it's the hundred dollar bill but... Today I received the salary market adjustment from the company that I work for. The results of that adjustment made me realize that not only am I in the wrong business, but PMP certification means more money. That is just the bottom line. The Senior Project Manager, who must be either PMP certified or in the active pursuit is actually a salary grade above the IT Unit Manager, even though they don't directly manage any resource. Of course there are matrixed resources used for every project, but there are functional managers responsible for all the administrative details such as performance reviews and disciplinary action based on any negative feedback received from the Project Manager. The IT Unit Managers such as myself have to do both the Project Manager function when there are no PM's available, as well as provide Technical Direction and administrative functions. But we make less money than the PMP certified Project Manager, even one with very little experience. So what does that tell me? The ability to manage projects from a business standpoint seems to be worth more to the corporate world than the technical ability. The IT Project + certification might be construed as aimed more toward the Information Technology Project Manager, which is where more of the IT Unit managers would probably focus there time and energy. But the PMP certified individual just seems to make more money. So if its money you are looking for, and believe it or not, potentially not wearing the 10 hats that IT Managers wear, you might be better off becoming a Project Manager. You may have a large amount of accountability, but more time to pursue excellence in a focused direction. That's just my opinion of course. Anybody else care to comment? (And if you have not figured it out yet, I am a bit buggered and a LOT jealous that the Senior Project Manager makes more money that I do!!) But at least I am honest about it!!!

Some name

"Well, thanks Erin for the welcome back!! I missed writing blogs and having good discussions. I am going to make sure I stay on track with posts

And I am not sure how to answer the two posts differently, so I will just answer RedK questions, and that is I did not compare the PRINCE to PMP and actually have never heard of it. Can you share some more info?thanks!!

"I have had a now years-long problem with PMI and that is specifically about their requirements to take the PMP exam. They have had a requirement that one's cumulative hours in project management be consecutive and not be spread over more years (I think that it is three) then what they specify.I have more than the minimal number of hours, but they were not all within the required period.

I tried explaining my situation to people in PMI, that it was a matter of my getting a job, making a living, etc., to no avail.

PMI has done a pretty good job of saturating several industries and making themselves known as the fountain of project management knowledge (hey they don't call their book the Project Management Book of Knowledge for nothing...). Whether they are or not is debatable. But employers and others should maintain an open mind as to considering individuals who do possess the experience yet may not have that PMP. After all what does passing an exam guarantee for a project manager's success?